The Yogi Adityanath government is set on propelling Uttar Pradesh to the forefront of sports excellence by focusing on the early development of young athletes. With the strategy ‘Catch them young’, the government plans to identify promising talents from childhood and provide them with essential facilities, training and exposure.
A key element of this initiative includes the establishment of open gyms in villages, for which the government has allocated Rs 100 crore in the supplementary budget. These open gyms are anticipated to play a vital role in nurturing and fostering sports talent in rural areas. Additionally, the government-run Khelo India Centres and residential sports colleges, equipped with international-level coaches, will further refine these talents.
The government is also committed to the One District, One Sport initiative, which aims to promote sports that are particularly popular in specific districts by providing specialised facilities and training.
The ongoing construction of the sports university in Meerut, progressing at a rapid pace, is set to become a milestone in the state’s efforts to develop its sports talents under the leadership of the Yogi government.
The sports landscape in Uttar Pradesh has undergone a significant transformation in the past seven years, largely due to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s personal interest in sports. Today, the state boasts international-level stadiums in Kanpur Nagar, Lucknow, Varanasi and Ghaziabad, with Kanpur Nagar and Lucknow frequently hosting national and international matches.
Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is set to host Uttar Pradesh’s only stadium operated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Recently, the chief minister also announced the construction of an international-standard cricket stadium in Gorakhpur.
To inspire young athletes, the state is also honouring renowned players. Following the establishment of Major Dhyan Chand Sports University, the supplementary budget has allocated Rs 19.34 crore to transform the ancestral home of Padma Shri Babu KD Singh in Barabanki into a museum.
Gorakhpur’s Ramgarh Lake is fully equipped for rowing competitions, having successfully hosted a national-level event. The state has also organised the Uttar Pradesh Inter-University Games under Khelo India and the first international MotoGP bike race in Noida, showcasing the expanding sports infrastructure and changing sports scenario in Uttar Pradesh.
This ongoing transformation promises far-reaching and multifaceted benefits. National and international events will boost the hospitality and related sectors, increase demand for sports equipment and create local employment opportunities. Additionally, the spirit of competition and discipline among the youth will grow, further contributing to the state’s development.
